Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1887-07-02
From &c Pioneer Fress.l

From the Pioneer Fress.
A single act in the history of ma
ton often plays most important
part in its subsequent life.
The throwing overheard of the tea
in Boston barbor, brought on the Rev
olution, which, has placed this coun-
try among the foremost powers OF
the world.
SO the introduction of the iil-fated
natives of the Dark Continent, in
1920, was destined to play an impor-
tant part in the history of this coun-
try.
To appreciate the progress OF the
Negro since the emancipation, we
must clearly understand his condi-
ton before emancipation.
From the time of his forcible set
Element in Virginia, to that more re-
cent and more remarkable period, when
that great state paper was issued,
granting to millions their inalienable
rights, he knew nothing but toll.
His only respite was when he re-
tired to his humble cot, when, while
nature was busily engaged in repair
ing his exhausted physical organs, his
Imagination would, perhaps, invent
some pleasant dream OF liberty.
But how bitter was such an illusion,
for he awoke only to resume his irk-
some and monotonous task.
This unmitigated toll had the most
disastrous effects upon his intellectu-
al and moral constitution.
When an evil has existed for any
great period, there have always APP
peared some noble souls who, actual
ed by love for right, have devoted
their energies to the determination OF
that evil.
So when this country first assumed
her place among the independent ma
tions of the world, several of it's prom
inent men, including Washington,
and Jefferson were heard to utter
grave predictions as to the result of
slavery.
They foresaw that the evil, unless
in some way checked, would inevita
bly lead to the nations decline, and
they advised, as an initiatory step,
the suppression of the slave trade;
which was soon afterwards done.
From 1880 to 1860, the history of
this country was almost wholly de-
termined by slavery. The conscience
OF the nation was being awakened
and it's sense of justice was being
aroused.
Orators on the platform. ministers
in the pulpit, statesmen in the halls
of congress were advocating the re
spective claims of freedom and slav-
cry.
This moral and intellectual conflict
eliminated in 1860, by the election
of Abraham Lincoln tho candidate of
the party opposed to slavery for pres
ident.
The heathens say those whom the
gods would destroy, they first make
mad. The Shareholders rendered i'm
perious by slavery, intoxicated by
the political successes heretofore
achieved, despising the profound |
moral convictions that animated those
opposed to slavery, determined to Sc
cure their peculiar institution by
Withdrawing from the Union.
This fatal step produced the war,
and thus changed the nature of the
conflict from moral to a political
one.
In the midst of this great strife, the |
president issued his memorable pro
clamation, which shall descend to |
posterity as one of the noblest acts of
mankind, decreeing to four millions
their freedom.
At length the mighty struggle |
ceased, with right triumphant, and
slavery exterminated forever.
Thus the billions of wealth piled
up by the unrequited slave toll Of
two hundred years was swept away,
by the hand of war in five; and all
the suferipgs of the poor slaves were
atoued for by the sacrifice Of hun
dreds of thousands of the bravest of
the land.
What was the condition of the
emancipated Negro, who had been so
suddenly elevated from state of
slavery to that of freedom. He was
free, but penniless. He was ignorant,